The Barratt Foundation donates £50,000 to The Fire Fighters Charity

The Barratt Developments PLC Charitable Foundation (the ‘Barratt Foundation’) has donated £50,000 to The Fire Fighters Charity, to support its ongoing work helping the UK’s fire services community.

The Barratt Foundation generously donated the money after being contacted by a Leicestershire firefighter, Jon Butler, who was one of several new recruits helping to organise a fundraising challenge in aid of the Charity.

The group of 13 ran, cycled and kayaked a total of 330 miles (double the circumference of the county) in October, not only raising funds for the Charity but also more awareness about the support it offers to thousands of beneficiaries every year. Jon was sadly unable to take part in the challenge at the last minute but supported his colleagues throughout.

Having seen this amazing example of how fire and rescue service personnel go above and beyond to support the Charity, particularly after the pandemic put a stop to its usual fundraising activity, the Barratt Foundation wanted to give its own, very generous donation, in support of the challenge.

The £50,000 will go a long way in supporting the Charity’s vital work; offering specialist, lifelong support for members of the entire UK fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives.

It comes as the Charity launches a winter fundraising appeal amid a growing need for mental health support across the UK’s fire and rescue services.

Ruth Powell, Director of Engagement and Fundraising at The Fire Fighters Charity, says: ‘On behalf of everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity, I want to thank the Barratt Foundation for its incredibly generous donation of £50,000, which will go so far in helping us to continue offering our vital support to the UK’s fire services community, when they need us most.

‘I also want to send my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Jon for initiating this valued partnership. The challenge he and his colleagues helped organise is a superb example of how much fire and rescue service personnel recognise and value their own Charity and we are so grateful.’

Barratt Developments PLC (’Barratt’) launched The Barratt Foundation earlier this year to mark building its 500,000th home and to bring its wide range of charitable activities under one organisation.

As part of its charitable giving strategy, The Barratt Foundation supports a range of local and national good causes, and encourages employees of Barratt to get involved with both fundraising and volunteering.

Tina Bains, a Trustee at the Barratt Foundation, says: ‘We are proud to support The Fire Fighters Charity with this £50,000 donation. With our Group’s registered office and East Midlands teams both being based in Leicestershire, it made perfect sense to support Jon Butler from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service with his fundraising challenge.

‘Firefighters risk their own lives each and every day to save the lives and welfare of others, so it seemed only right that we support a Charity that is the only organisation dedicated to assisting serving and ex members of the Fire Brigade whenever they may need help.’

For more information, go to www.firefighterscharity.org.uk